​Celtic’s goalkeeping department received a January boost with the arrival of former Hoops keeper Michael McGovern, who has joined forces with Stevie Woods as part of the club’s coaching setup. McGovern originally signed for Celtic in 2001, arriving from Enniskillen during Martin O’Neill’s first spell in charge, before moving on to feature for a number of Scottish clubs. In addition to earning more than 30 caps for Northern Ireland, he spent a spell in England with Norwich City, where he helped the Canaries clinch the Championship title and secure promotion to the Premier League on two separate occasions.
With a wealth of experience in both top-flight domestic football and international football, McGovern has stepped into coaching after beginning his managerial career with Queen’s Park in 2024. He now aims to leverage his extensive knowledge to support Celtic’s goalkeeping group. In an exclusive interview with CelticPlayer at the Hoops’ pre-season base in Portugal, the former Celtic stopper reflected on his transition from player to coach and why he is pursuing coaching full time.
“It was always in the back of my mind,” McGovern said. “People would tell me I’d make a good coach, so I went after my badges, and toward the end of my playing career I started doing a bit of coaching. I was really enjoying the coaching more than the playing, and I think that says a lot. That was why I decided to retire from playing and commit to coaching full time. I wanted to go into coaching to pass on my knowledge and help other goalkeepers.”
“I spent 23 years as a player, competing at a high level, and I’ve also experienced being a number two and a number three in squads. I’ve faced many of the things goalkeepers encounter, and I want to share all of that experience to help improve the goalkeepers at this club.”
McGovern’s aim is to transfer the lessons learned throughout a long, varied career to Celtic’s current crop of shot-stoppers, assisting them to reach new heights with his guidance and insight. You can watch Michael McGovern’s full interview exclusively on CelticPlayer. To access his full interview and other premium content, consider subscribing to CelticPlayer for enhanced coverage and insights.